Crime Stoppers offers reward for information on robbery suspect

By Kathie Warco

Staff Writer

Shayne Charles Coffield

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Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information on a Washington man wanted for shooting a Washington convenience store clerk in the leg during a robbery, and for robbing a Canton Township store.

Shayne Charles Coffield, 23, whose last known address was 247 W. Hallam Ave., is wanted for robbing Isaly’s, 2400 Jefferson Ave., Canton, Jan. 21, and for the March 27 robbery of Uni-Mart at 336 E. Maiden St., Washington. State police submitted the information on Coffield to Crime Stoppers Tuesday.

Trooper Thomas Kress, who filed the charges against Coffield, said that the 23-year-old is still believed to be in the area.

“He has been seen in the Washington Estates Trailer Park and in the West End,” Kress said. “Someone knows where he is, so we are hoping a little money will entice someone to turn him in.”

The amount of the reward was not disclosed.

Washington police Detective Dan Rush said members of the Mon Valley Divers, searching Wednesday in No. 4 Dam off Cove Road in North Franklin Township, found the Tec 22 handgun believed used to shoot the clerk at the Uni-Mart. Rush said police received a tip that the weapon had been thrown in the dam. The gun will be sent to the state police crime lab for testing.

Coffield and Christopher Pitzarella, 23, of Washington, are accused of robbing the Uni-Mart. Coffield is accused of shooting the clerk during the robbery. Police said the two got away with $221.

Pitzarella waived a preliminary hearing on charges of robbery, conspiracy and a firearms violation last month. Coffield is charged with attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault and a firearms violation.

Coffield and his stepbrother, Michael Stienstraw Jr., 26, of Canton, are accused of robbing Isaly’s. Police said Coffield had a knife and Stienstraw carried a baseball bat when they robbed the store, stealing $730. Both were charged with robbery, terroristic threats, theft and simple assault. Stienstraw waived his case to court last month.

The online link to Crime Stoppers is www.pacrimestoppers.org. Type Coffield’s name in the search field to find the particulars about him and the cases. Anyone with information also can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS. Information about Coffield’s whereabouts can be called in to state police at 724-223-5200 or through 911.